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By Monika

15 Best Things to Do in Iceland.

Iceland is full of natural wonders and beautiful places to visit. The choices are endless, from relaxing in the hot pool or spa to hiking breathtaking canyons and glaciers, to snorkeling between tectonic plates.

Most of them you can experience on your own, and some require a knowledgeable guide – safety first!

We’ve been to Iceland a few times and I still have a long list of things to do on my next trip.

Here is my list of the best things to do in Iceland in no particular order:

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1. Visit a geothermal spa lagoon

Soaking in the hot pools of the Blue Lagoon is the first thing that comes to mind when a geothermal spa is mentioned.

Blue Lagoon is in fact the most famous geothermal spa in Iceland, known for its healing milky white water, silica mud masks, and beautiful surroundings. It’s also very close to the airport, which makes it a popular destination and one of the best places to relax after a long flight.

There are other equally beautiful hot pools, like Sky Lagoon near Reykjavik, Secret Lagoon on the South Coast or Mývatn Baths in the Lake Mývatn area in North Iceland.

2. See the waterfalls

Iceland has over 10 000 waterfalls, each unique in its own way.

Your trip wouldn’t be complete without seeing at least one or two! You can easily make it a part of one of your day trips.

Here are some must-see waterfalls to get you started: Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi,  Skógafoss and Kvernufoss on the South Coast, Gullfoss on the Golden Circle,  Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park and Goðafoss and Dettifoss on the Diamond Circle in North Iceland.

There are sooo many more that we didn’t get to yet! Glymur, Hengifoss, Dynjandi – the list is long!

3. Ride Icelandic horses 

Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before (like me), just go for it – you’ll be glad you did!

Icelandic horses (NOT ponies!) are gorgeous, smart, very friendly, and know exactly what to do on these tours. Horseback riding through the rugged landscapes of lava fields, black sand beaches, or windswept meadows is one of those experiences that stay with you forever.

Here are the two tours we did and enjoyed:

• Reykjavik: Red Lava Horse Riding Tour
• Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik

4. Hike on a glacier

A glacier hike is another unforgettable experience and one of the top Iceland attractions, also only available with a guided tour. It’s pretty exhilarating to put on the gear (helmets, harnesses and crampons) and go for a walk on a glacier!

Read here about our experience with glacier hiking and ice climbing for a better idea of what to expect!

5. Visit a glacier lagoon

Two of the most famous glacier lagoons in Iceland are located on the South Coast, only 15 minutes from each other.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is the most famous one, bigger and busier than the less-known Fjallsárlón Lagoon. Both offer zodiac boat tours to get close to the icebergs and see the glaciers up close. At Jökulsárlón Lagoon you can also go kayaking or book an amphibian boat tour.

Read my ultimate guide to glacier lagoons in Iceland!

6. Visit an ice cave 

Ice caves are only safely accessible in the winter months and only with an experienced local guide. This is an activity still remaining on my “to do in Iceland” list!

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6. See a black sand beach

Iceland is known for its black sand beaches. Made of volcanic sand, they are unique, amazing natural attractions that are easy to visit on your own or with a tour.  

The most popular by far is Reynisfjara Beach near Vik, with its signature basalt columns.

Diamond Beach is another beauty to visit, located closer to the town of Höfn. Famous for the chunks of ice, washed ashore from the nearby glacier lagoon that look like diamonds on the black sand!

In the same area you have Stokksness Beach with the black sand dunes against the backdrop of the dramatic Vestrahorn Mountain.

Western Iceland has Djúpalónssandur Beach, which is more of a black pebble beach than a black sand beach. Located in Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it’s known for dramatic lava formations and ancient lifting stones.

READ MORE: Best Black Sand Beaches in Iceland – a Practical Guide.

7. See an active geothermal area

Iceland is called “a hotspot” by geologists – a place where there is a lot of geothermal activity under the surface of the earth.

Where can you see it above the ground? Plenty of easily accessible spots! Visit steamy geysers of Seltún Geothermal Area in Krýsuvík and Gunnuhver Hot Springs on Reykjanes Peninsula, stunning Hverir/Námafjall in Lake Mývatn area, breathtaking Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir in the Icelandic Highlands, and of course, Geysir Hot Springs right on the Golden Circle.  

8. Visit a natural hot spring

​There are many natural geothermal pools in Iceland – some very popular and some still hidden gems. Make sure to visit at least one during your travels around the Ring Road as most of them are located in secluded breathtaking spots, worth a visit even without going in the water.

My personal best spots can be found right in South Iceland: Hrunalaug Hot Spring, Reykjadalur Hot River and Seljavallalaug – the most unique swimming pool you’ll ever see!

If you’re up for traveling to a more remote location, you’ll love the “People’s Pool” in Landmannaugar and Kerlingarfjoll hot spring in the Highlands.

9.  Go on a whale-watching tour

Iceland is a great place to go whale watching. Husavik in the north of Iceland is often called a whale watching capital of Europe.

You have the best chance of spotting various species of whales between May and September.

Akureyri in North Iceland, Olafsvik on Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and of course, Reykjavik are also fantastic places for a whale-watching tour.

10. See the puffins

Your puffin-watching window is a little narrower than the whale-watching. These adorable birds come to nest in Iceland in the summer months, between May and late August.

The best time to spot them is early in the morning and later at night, when they are not busy catching fish and bobbing in the ocean water.

You can see them by yourself by driving to Dyrhólaey Cliffs near Vik, remote Látrabjarg Cliffs of Westfjords or Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland. You can also take a ferry to Westman Islands or join a tour to Ingólfshöfði Nature Reserve near Skaftafel Nature Reserve.

Read about the best places to see puffins to include them in your itinerary!

11. Spend a day in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and a very charming city with tons of character. You can see its best attractions in a day as most of the popular sites are located in the city center, pretty close to each other.

You can take a walking tour, shop on Rainbow Street, and try local cuisine at one of many cafes and restaurants.

For a list of TOP things to see in Reykjavik, READ THIS GUIDE!

For a list of FREE things to do in Reykjavik, READ THIS GUIDE!

12. See the Northern Lights

That is a bucket list item for most travelers to Iceland. The best time of year to see the elusive Aurora Borealis is between September and March.

You can join one of the Northern Lights tours or try chasing the lights on your own. That’s what I did during my recent trip and was fortunate enough to see them!

READ MORE: How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

13. Go hiking

The best and easiest way to experience the natural beauty of Iceland is by hiking. There are many short easy hikes like Fjaðrágljúfur and Stuðlagil Canyons, Kvernufoss waterfall or Reykjadalur Steam Valley. You can also choose a longer trek, like the Skógafoss Hike (Waterfall Way) on the South Coast or one of many trails in Landmannalaugar or Thórsmörk

14. Visit the Highlands

Icelandic Highlands are the uninhabited remote interior parts of Iceland, only accessible in the summer. They offer some of the most amazing scenery and are home to truly epic hiking trails.

To get a glimpse of what that area has to offer, read my guide to Kerlingarfjöll and how to hike the Bláhnúkur – Brennisteinsalda loop in Landmannalaugar.

For all you need to know before you go, read this guide: How to Visit the Highlands of Iceland – 15 Essential Tips for a Safe Road Trip.

15. Drive the Ring Road

This is definitely the best way to see Iceland, as you get to see different regions of the country during one epic road trip.

Make sure to dedicate enough time to this experience (10-14 days or more is ideal), rent an appropriate car, and learn about driving in Iceland. I would also consider choosing the summer months for this adventure to take advantage of the long days and have the best chance of good weather and road conditions.

Check out our 10-day Ring Road Itinerary to get some inspiration!

You can combine a lot of these experiences into wonderful day trips. Read more on how to do that in my Iceland Travel Guides.

Don’t feel like doing it on your own? Take advantage of the awesome guided tours mentioned in individual articles linked above.

My guide to the best tours in Iceland is in the works! Stay tuned for updates and check back often!

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You may also like:

• 6-day Iceland Itinerary (How to See the Best of Iceland in a Short Time)
• What Not to Do in Iceland – 40 Mistakes to Avoid Making to Have a Great Trip.
• Golden Circle in One Day – Full Guide to the Main Stops and Best Detours.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula – A Complete Guide and Top Things to See.
• How to Visit Glaciers in Iceland – Need to Know Facts, Safety Tips and Best Tours.
• Möðrudalur – a Complete Guide to the Most Charming Farm in Iceland.
• Road F35 in Iceland – Epic Drive Through the Highlands.
• Friðheimar Tomato Farm – a Unique Dining Experience in Iceland.

Need more help planning your trip? Join our private Iceland Travel Planning Facebook Group to ask questions and share your experiences, plus get expert travel tips and advice from a supportive community of Iceland enthusiasts!